Muslim head scarfs in the colours of every AFL team will go on sale from today, in the lead-up to the league’s multicultural round.
League boss Gillon McLachlan will announce the AFL-approved headwear range at an AFL breakfast in a speech outlining how important it is the football code embraces all cultures.
Bachar Houli, a trailblazer for Muslims in the league, said it was “a huge thing” for Muslim women who were passionate about footy.
“There are so many Muslims who attend the footy, but at times don’t feel like they are part of supporting their team,” he said.
“This is a fantastic thing, because now they can wear their football team colours on their scarf, feel like they are part game.”
Designer Shanaaz Copeland stumbled on the idea when she dropped her daughters at school on footy day, when children were wearing AFL jumpers with traditional head scarfs.
She hoped the range would empower Muslim girls and women and help break down barriers.